AviTrader MRO Magazine 2017-08

Industry Interview
20
In the hot seat.....
Jeff Lund, President and CEO, Kellstrom Aerospace
AviTrader MRO: Can you tell us a bit
about Kellstrom Aerospace and how the
company came to be?
Lund: Kellstrom Aerospace’s operating history
dates back to the 1970s. In 2013, Kellstrom
Commercial Aerospace acquired Air-
Liance Materials, becoming what is formerally
known as Kellstrom Materials. Kellstrom was
then acquired by AE Industrial Partners in
2015 with the goal of becoming a full-service
aftermarket solutions provider to airlines,
MROs, and the aircraft lessor community.
Over the last two years, Kellstrom has expanded
its capabilities and product offerings to further
support its customer base as a full-service
provider to the commercial aftermarket. With
further acquisitions of Transaero Commercial
Distribution (2016), The Aircraft Group (2016)
and now Vortex Aviation (2017), the growth
of Kellstrom was continuing. Kellstrom Materials
was rebranded to Kellstrom Aerospace
in April 2017, to represent to airlines, leasing
companies and MROs around the world
that Kellstrom Aerospace signifies full service
aftermarket solutions, from supporting new
aircraft inductions to end-of-life solutions.
AviTrader MRO: In June, Kellstrom acquired
Vortex Aviation, what necessitated this
move?
Lund: The acquisition of Vortex Aviation
plays a key role in connecting the synergies
of our new technical services division: Kellstrom
Aerospace Technical Services (KATS).
With Vortex’s specialisation in on-wing support
services and quick-turn hospital shop
repairs, paired with the aircraft portfolio
maintenance and records management of
The Aircraft Group and expertise of endof-life
assets of Kellstrom Aerospace, KATS
offers a complete 100% technical services
capability for the entire aircraft. This acquisition
strengthens Kellstrom Aerospace as the
global leader in aircraft lifecycle solutions
and builds upon our diverse portfolio aimed
at reducing aircraft operational costs and
better end of life solutions.
AviTrader MRO: How will aircraft operators
and MROs benefit from your acquisition of
Vortex?
Lund: With the addition of Vortex Aviation to
Kellstrom Aerospace Group’s portfolio, lessors,
owners and operators of aircraft and
engines will maximise time on wing, reduce
the cost of maintenance, and receive optimum
end of life solutions for assets upon
retirement. The broader market reach Vortex
Aviation brings to Kellstrom Aerospace will
also benefit our OEM distribution partners,
as we expand our geographical footprint
and customer base.
Aircraft operators, lessors and MROs will
further benefit from Vortex’s alignment with
The Aircraft Group as part of the KATS programme.
Through their patented records
management system, The Aircraft Group is
able to enhance the value of any portfolio
through active fleet management. By pairing
the synergies of The Aircraft Group and
Vortex, Kellstrom is able to provide a team
of industry specialists to effectively provide
technical and consultancy services resulting
in flexibility to operators as they transition
to newer aircraft, economic optimisation of
mature assets, technical and commercial
services to extend operational life, and exit
strategies upon retirement.
Jeff Lund, President and CEO.
All photos: Kellstrom Aerospace
AviTrader MRO: Will Vortex Aviation keep
its brand identity?
Lund: Yes, Vortex Aviation will continue to
operate under their current trademark. The
brand that Vortex has achieved throughout
their operating history is strong in the industry
and recognised as knowledgeable and reliable,
and will continue to operate as such.
AviTrader MRO: Are there any details on
the financial aspect of the acquisition or
how much investment is going into Vortex?
Lund: We will not be releasing financil information
about the acquisition.
The business includes new OEM aircraft parts distribution.
AviTrader MRO - August 2017